Interest in the Detroit Branch NAACP Climate Equity work extends all the way to Little Rock, Arkansas.

With excited curiosity about greening Detroit, guest host Mina Collins regularly welcomes Climate Equity and Sustainability Manager, Simone Lightfoot to KABF radio Let’s Talk Clean and Green. Most recently, the two discussed environmental justice, health related issues concentrated in urban centers and the African-American community.

Transmitting 100,000 mega watts, with 250,000 listeners, the show is broadcast from a community radio station that has been on air for over 25 years and can be heard in the surrounding states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Oklahoma as well as by internet in about 133 countries.

The Detroit Branch NAACP joined the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) for a timely and insightful gathering of some of Detroit’s most respected energy and environmental leaders and practitioners, for a learning lunch.

Detroit Branch NAACP Executive Director, Donnell White and Climate Equity and Sustainability Manager, Simone Lightfoot joined the President & CEO of NWF, Mr. Larry Schweiger and members of his Great Lakes Regional staff to welcome guests.

Attendees shared the progress, potential, benefits and barriers to improving climate change preparedness, air, water, infrastructure and transportation quality for the city of Detroit.  The group also discussed next step efforts.

Invited guests included representatives from the Wayne County Executives office, the Detroit City Council, the Sierra Club, Detroiters Working For Environmental Justice, Michigan Environmental Council, Energy Efficiency & Environmental Health Services – Task Force and others.

As the EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) coordinated the first of three national, public hearings to enable the production of a new generation of clean vehicles, the Detroit Branch NAACP was there.

The Detroit Branch NAACP engaged our climate equity network of community and labor leaders, elected officials, civil rights and environmental justice advocates to attend, testify and demonstrate support for the proposed 2017-2025 automotive fuel emission standards.

The standing room only crowd filled the hearing room at the Marriott Courtyard Detroit as about 100 individuals — ranging from citizens to automotive executives were scheduled to speak beginning at 10 a.m. The hearing was extended through at least 7:30 p.m. to accommodate testimony from the large number of speakers.

The new corporate average fuel economy or CAFÉ standards, are for model-year 2017-25 vehicles.  These proposed standards would require automakers to work toward producing a fleet that averages 54.5 miles per gallon of gasoline or 163 grams/mile of carbon dioxide with vehicle models. The proposed standards would accommodate the size of the vehicle allowing automakers to continue to make all sizes and shapes.

The participation of the Detroit Branch NAACP provided essential front line perspective and support for greater fuel efficiency and less green house gas (carbon) emissions as the EPA moves toward final fuel emission standards.

Simone Lightfoot, Climate Equity manager- 2012 Women of Excellence Honoree

Detroit Branch NAACP Climate Equity and Sustainability Manager, Simone Lightfoot, was recently honored as a 2012 Michigan Chronicle Women of Excellence for her conservation and sustainability work in post-industrial urban centers.

The only green honoree, Lightfoot was among 50 phenomenal women recognized for their professional stature, poise, and grace while maintaining the delicate balance between their personal, professional and community roles.

The Michigan Chronicle Women of Excellence Award celebrates local African-American women who inspire others through their vision and leadership, exceptional achievements and participation in community service.  The women chosen for this award champion economic empowerment, serve as the backbone of our religious and educational organizations and a driving forces in politics and community service.

The Detroit Branch NAACP has been tapped to join the efforts of the Detroit Climate Action Collaborative, an alliance of community based energy and environmental experts focused on reducing green house gases and crafting a sustainability plan for the city of Detroit.

Based on our Climate Equity success, proven managerial and collaborative experience and broad reach, the Branch will assist DCAC in several key areas.  From refining their goals, research strategy and indicators to proposing data sources, helping establish benchmarking baseline assessments and identifying targets for mitigation and adaptation guidelines.

The Detroit Branch NAACP will help look at indicator values in reference communities, define and identify local characteristics and prioritize short-term (1-5 years) and long-term (5+ years) recommendations and action.  The Detroit Branch NAACP will also help develop implementation measures, recommendation language and help provide strategic, political and community engagement direction.